Beyond Reach - Chapter 8 - Ambiguous in Public.

A new week begins.

The school turns off the lights at 11:30 PM, and Shi Sui returns, washes up, and goes to sleep.

The next morning, she opens her chat box only to find a message from Yan Tingli, sent in the wee hours. It’s just a number [1], seemingly meaningless, probably implying that he’s still alive.

Shi Sui thinks about the calls she intended to make last night and emotionlessly turns off her phone. Their relationship has always been about him wanting to control her every move.

She’s always hiding, seemingly overlooking a fact-when Yan Tingli does not wish to be found, she really can’t find him at all.

The next morning is full of classes. At noon, as Shi Sui and her roommate leave the school building, Shi Sui receives an unexpected call from Song Jie.

Her fingers tighten around her phone, her expression momentarily frozen.

“What’s wrong, Suisui?” Xue Jing, who is holding her hand, asks.

Shi Sui looks down at her phone: “You and Anran go ahead to the cafeteria, I’ve got something to handle.”

“Okay, do you want us to save a spot for you?”

Shi Sui waves her hand dismissively: “No need.”

She quickly steps away from the crowd to a quiet spot and answers the phone.

“Hello, Auntie.”

“Suisui,” Song Jie addresses her, “are you busy?”

“Just got out of class, not busy.”

Song Jie hums and chats casually with her, her voice tinged with a light fatigue.

Shi Sui, having not spoken much with Song Jie nor often alone, guesses that Song Jie must have something important to discuss and takes the initiative: “Auntie, you were saying…?”

“It’s like this, I can’t get through to Tingli, and my legs aren’t in the best shape. Since you’re both at the same school, could you possibly meet him and ask him to call me back?”

Shi Sui is stunned: “Auntie, what happened to your leg?”

“Just a twist, nothing serious,” Song Jie seems reluctant to elaborate, “Are you available?”

Shi Sui has no reason to refuse: “…Yes, I’m available.”

Their conversation, limited in topics, ends with polite goodbyes, and they hang up.

Shi Sui stares at her phone, still processing the information.

Yan Tingli isn’t answering Song Jie’s calls.

Did they have an argument yesterday?

Shi Sui’s fingers hover over Yan Tingli’s chat box.

Suddenly, a headache strikes.

Could it be that in Song Jie’s perspective, she and Yan Tingli are close? If even she can’t manage it, how could she possibly…

Shi Sui sighs, edits her message repeatedly, and finally sends to Yan Tingli: [When are you free today?]

No reply comes immediately.

That’s normal; he’s usually busy and seldom chit-chats online.

Shi Sui isn’t free today either; on the contrary, she has a full day of classes. She hesitates about calling him directly, then changes her mind considering where her afternoon class is.

They have several specialized courses that require the use of a computer lab. The School of Interdisciplinary Information Science, with its top-tier facilities, has only reluctantly approved access for the School of Art after numerous requests.

This semester, Shi Sui and her classmates are fortunate to experience it. Although they have already attended classes here a few times, they are still invariably impressed by the building’s dazzling, futuristic vibe.

A University, being one of the top science and technology schools in the country, naturally receives substantial funding for its elite schools, not to mention the generous donations from industry leaders each year.

Though the School of Art is impressive, it pales in comparison, like the difference between a favored heir and a neglected child.

As evening fell, Shi Sui finished her last class and exited the computer lab.

The School of Interdisciplinary Information Science building towers over twenty stories high, with Shi Sui’s classes on the eleventh floor.

Students hurriedly passed by, some donned in lab coats, others sipping coffee while studying, each absorbed in their own tasks.

The academic atmosphere was so intense that Xue Jing and Lin Anran felt too shy to speak, quietly making their way to the elevator.

Inside the elevator, Shi Sui habitually stood towards the back, pulling out her phone from her bag. She speculated that Yan Tingli might be attending classes nearby and considered calling him out for a meeting.

The elevator descended a couple of floors.

Suddenly, with a “ding,” the elevator halted, and the doors opened to a crowd of people who surged inside.

Shi Sui glanced around and stepped further back.

Just as she saw Yan Tingli’s reply on her phone, her sleeve was suddenly tugged excitedly.

Turning her head, she saw Xue Jing silently screaming, gesturing towards the door.

Following her gaze, Shi Sui’s eyes widened.

Coincidentally, Yan Tingli stepped in, wearing a black jacket with a backpack casually slung over one shoulder, his expression calm and composed.

He was surrounded by a few guys who were chatting with him.

The moment their eyes met, Shi Sui quickly looked away.

Her gaze fell on her phone, just in time to see his message: [Miss me?]

She pressed her lips together, pretending not to see it, and swiftly turned off the screen.

The newcomers were all tall guys, making the space cramped and the air thin.

Yan Tingli stood not far from her.

The people around him were discussing academic matters, to which he responded briefly while checking his phone.

Lin Anran messaged the group: [Every time I see him, I can’t help but think how handsome he is.]

Xue Jing: [I asked for his WeChat last week, wonder if he remembers me.]

Lin Anran: [Such a handsome face, yet he’s not planning to date, what a waste!]

During the post-class rush, more people piled in, making the elevator increasingly crowded.

Shi Sui retreated to the farthest corner, trying to minimize her presence.

Just as she settled, someone in front of her stepped back-it was one of the guys talking to Yan Tingli.

He stumbled, losing his balance, and headed straight towards her.

Shi Sui had nowhere to go, standing frozen as their eyes met.

Just as they were about to collide, the guy’s arm was grabbed, and Yan Tingli cast a casual glance.

The guy realized and turned to Shi Sui: “Sorry, it’s too crowded.”

“No problem.”

Zhuo Haoyu, upon seeing Shi Sui, was momentarily struck by her beauty, his gaze lingering before he could say more. But he was pulled aside by a force, his previous spot taken.

He glanced at Yan Tingli.

Feeling puzzled.

“Yan-Ge?”

“Stand properly,” Yan Tingli’s tone was cold.

“…Oh.”

Yan Tingli was very close.

Shi Sui didn’t need to look up to know.

Their familiarity with each other’s presence was undeniable, even in a crowded elevator.

She lowered her gaze, holding her breath, almost curling into herself.

As the last person entered, she found herself pressed against the wall, unable to move.

The person in front of her, however, encroached further.

He was so tall, standing before her like a wall, his presence dominating everything around her.

Xue Jing and Lin Anran were squeezed to the other side, their eyes frequently darting over.

Yan Tingli had his hand braced against the wall, conveniently blocking their view.

Shi Sui couldn’t help but send a message: [Don’t stand so close to me.]

“Close?” he said.

The sudden remark drew several glances.

Shi Sui’s heart raced, but she maintained her composure as she typed: [Why did you speak out loud?]

Yan Tingli, unfazed, raised his hand to his ear, appearing as if he were on a call.

The others shifted their gaze away.

“Too lazy to type.”

Shi Sui’s scalp tingled: [Use your phone to talk to me.]

“I won’t.”

Yan Tingli’s voice was low, “Why didn’t you answer my earlier question?”

Earlier question?

Shi Sui took a moment to recall the screen message-“Miss me?”

She blinked, attempting to ignore it.

Suddenly, the hand hidden beneath her sleeve was gently grasped.

The cool, smooth touch traced along her palm’s lines.

Shi Sui’s face heated up as she tried to withdraw her hand, but he held firm.

“Hmm?” he prompted, his fingers entwining like a snake.

Shi Sui was on the verge of losing it, finally giving up resistance.

Her fingers were completely enveloped in his palm.

“Answer me,” he teased her palm.

He always did this, using every trick to get the answer he wanted.

Shi Sui was cornered, even forgetting to use her phone, squeezing out a soft: “…Hmm.”

“Suisui?” Lin Anran asked, puzzled, “What did you say?”

Shi Sui broke into a cold sweat: “Nothing.”

Yan Tingli chuckled, playfully pinching her fingertip.

Fortunately, the elevator reached the ground floor, and Shi Sui seized the chance to pull her hand away.

She dashed towards the elevator exit.

At that moment, her phone buzzed.

Yan Tingli: [Meet me at the back door.]

Shi Sui glanced at the message briefly and hurried forward.

Zhuo Haoyu instinctively took a step forward, but He Nan pulled him back by his bag: “Zhuo Haoyu, where are you going?”

“I…” His ears turned slightly red.

He Nan: “What’s up with you?”

“Nothing.”

“I don’t believe you,” He Nan glanced in the direction of Shi Sui and the others, whispering, “Come on, which girl caught your eye?”

As they spoke, Yan Tingli was the last to exit the elevator.

He Nan observed Zhuo Haoyu’s expression, chuckling as he nudged him: “Really? You like someone? Go get her WeChat and follow up later.”

Zhuo Haoyu, encouraged, was already itching to move: “I’ll go right now-”

Before he could finish, a hand pressed down on his shoulder.

“Yan-Ge?” Zhuo Haoyu was surprised.

“She has a boyfriend.”

“What?” He was shocked.

For some reason, Zhuo Haoyu sensed a chill from Yan Tingli.

A different kind of coldness than usual.

“How do you know?”

“On her neck,” Yan Tingli glanced at him, smirking without warmth, “There’s a hickey.”

Zhuo Haoyu was stunned: “Yan-Ge, are you sure you saw it clearly?”

Yan Tingli pointed to his own neck, casually saying, “Right here.”

Zhuo Haoyu was speechless, his expression forlorn.

“Tsk tsk,” He Nan laughed, slinging an arm around Zhuo Haoyu’s shoulder, enjoying the drama, “Instant heartbreak.”

Zhuo Haoyu frowned, shaking off his hand: “Get lost.”

Yan Tingli withdrew his gaze, raising his hand: “I’ve got things to do, I’m leaving.”

“Alright, bye Yan-Ge.” He Nan waved, pulling Zhuo Haoyu along, “Let’s go, stop staring, the girl’s taken.”

“Oh my gosh, Suisui, you were so close to Yan Tingli just now!” Xue Jing exclaimed as soon as they walked away. “How was it? Did he smell nice?”

Lin Anran chimed in, “Did you feel like you couldn’t breathe?”

Shi Sui’s fingers still carried the sticky sweat from his touch. “…Yeah.”

It was suffocating.

“What a pity.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have a feeling Yan Tingli has a girlfriend,” Xue Jing lamented.

Shi Sui paused slightly in her steps.

Lin Anran adjusted her glasses, “How can you tell?”

“Sixth sense!” Xue Jing declared. “Didn’t you hear the way he was talking on the phone just now? So affectionate, so intimate.”

“?”

Shi Sui was shocked, “Affectionate?”

Xue Jing continued, “Was that the tone you’d use with a friend or a buddy?”

Lin Anran added, “But didn’t Wei say that Yan Tingli told her he wasn’t planning on dating in college?”

“You actually believe that?” Xue Jing scoffed. “Maybe it was just an excuse to turn her down.” She raised a finger and lowered her voice, “I have a gut feeling that Yan Tingli has a secret girlfriend. What type do you think he likes?”

Lin Anran speculated, “Probably a high-IQ, long-legged femme fatale.”

“Exactly,” Xue Jing agreed.

Shi Sui: “…”

“Suisui, why are you looking at me like that?”

“…I also think you’re right,” Shi Sui said after a moment of silence.